First Week

AHHH! Where do I even begin... I have so much to tell you with so little amount of time, so I will try and fit as much info as I can in here!! Leaving you at the airport was the weirdest feeling I have ever had. It was hard yet so easy because I knew I was embarking on an adventure to serve the Lord. I met people as soon as I got to my gate, and it brought me sooo much comfort. There was twelve of us flying from Salt lake to Florida, with only 4 sisters, and 8 elders. I sat by another sister, and a lady sat in between us. It was really fun to get to know new people, and I felt like my mission was actually beginning. The sweet old lady let me borrow her coloring pencils... which was probably a bad thing because in the middle of the flight they fell off my table.... I felt so bad, I lost one of them but she was so nice, she didn't mind. When we landed on the tarmac of the airport in Florida we were stuck on the plane for an hour because really bad weather. When we got off we had a layover for about two hours. Man oh man, the flight to Manchester was long... My seat was in between really really tall elders, so i didn't have a whole lot of room but it was totally fine, all part of the experience. I forgot about how the pressure changes in the plane, so when I went to drink out of my water bottle it exploded all over me so my dress got completely wet, but it was hilarious!! The elders probably though that I was such a goof. It was a breeze getting through customs at the airport. We were picked up by one of the MTC president's assistants, and then we got on the bus. Sister Benson was my buddy throughout the whole time traveling and it was so fun getting to know her, she's from Utah so I think I made a friend. When we arrived at the MTC we walked through the doors and sat in the main room and got all of our paper work and all of that stuff. All of us just wanted to take a shower, because we had been traveling all night haha. The first day felt like the longest day of my life! I definitely had a flood of emotions. I felt homesick and was really worried that I was going to have a really hard time. My companions name is Sister Lall, she is from Guyana. She didn't show up until late on the 17th so I was kind of stressed out! But she eventually got here. Sister Lall and I are complete opposites. I'm a morning person, she's not, I'm bubbly, she's not, I'm more of a spiritual thinker, she's more of a logical thinker. SO Heavenly Father definitely put us together for a reason.The weather has been really nice here. The people in England say that it isn't normal that there has been so much sunshine. So I like to think that Heavenly Father knew that I needed sunshine to brighten my mood for the first week in the MTC! We are so busy here at the MTC, that I feel like we don't even have time to think. I've had a hard time adjusting to the meals here. My stomach has been pretty upset at the MTC, so I've lost some weight. They feed us the weirdest things. And they just cook a lot differently here. I swear we eat potatoes at every meal.... yucky haha. I love being a Missionary! It brings me so much joy!!! It is SOOO hard, I have never been so uncomfortable, but I also have never had a stronger relationship with the Holy Ghost and with my Savior Jesus Christ. Heavenly Father truly does watch over his missionaries. I already have cried in one of my lessons... I have a feeling I am going to be an emotion missionary haha, My companion likes to make fun of me for it haha. But it's crazy how the spirit really does take care of our lessons, as long as we pray for it. They fed us fish and chips for the first time.... It's a no go for me haha. I've been running a lot for exercise here, it definitely helps with stress. I've been running with Sister Schulze from Germany and Sister Loefke from California because My companion doesn't really like to run. Heavenly Father is always giving me growing experiences. On sunday we were asked to prepare a talk on the atonement, and immediately I knew I was going to have to speak. So in Sacrament meeting when President Preston  called my name, and the names of 5 other missionaries I wasn't surprised. It's funny because I honestly don't remember what I said in my talk other then I remember that I shared a few scriptures. But it definitely was a growing experience. I didn't realize how many people were at the MTC until I stood up in front of everyone haha. We had personal time on sunday as well, so Sister Lall and I walked around the MTC ground, and the temple grounds. The temple is gorgeous!! My district is really fun, however the elders can get a little distracted haha. The thing that I have been thinking about  A LOT this week is what daddy always says... Attitude is everything! Because as a missionary it truly is. We are the ones that have to wake up and decide how we are going to choose to feel that day. Because with being a missionary comes a lot of emotions, and it can be really hard to work through them sometimes. SO Attitude really is everything... Thanks Daddy. I want you to know how much I love you. I pray for you every single day, and I know that Heavenly Father will bless all of you while I'm in His service. I know how much he loves each and everyone of us, and I am so grateful for this opportunity to be a missionary, because I feel that love so much deeper now. I love you so much. Make it a great week!

Love, Sister Lund